When you meet someone with a passion for what they do, it’s contagious. I had the pleasure of working with Sharon Davis of Sharon S. Davis Makeup Artistry on a project that we collaborated on a few months ago. She is a Raleigh, NC MUA (Makeup artist) who serves this area and beyond. She has received numerous awards for her services, including the Wedding Wire Couples Choice award for 2015. To hear her speak about her craft, and to receive the education that she provided us with in just a short amount of time, I knew that I had to interview her as a resource to brides.

D: Tell us a little about your background. How did you begin your journey as a makeup artist and how long have you been in the profession?

S: I’ve always had a love for art since I was a child. I remember all the drawings I used to have on my wall. They included anything from one-two point perspective drawings, to fashion croquis, to portraits. This lead to me taking art classes in middle and high school, to majoring in general arts/art education in college. My parents persuaded me not to major in fashion, but the desire never faded. I later pursued fashion in Atlanta, GA in 2000.

With little guidance I went back to what I knew, and that was art education. In 2002 I took a trip to Los Angeles to attend a workshop in fashion. I loved LA and decided to take a class in makeup. I figured I would work as a makeup artist and meet designers that way. It was during this time that I realized I enjoyed makeup more than the idea of designing clothes. The connection of painting and color theory clicked for me in the world of makeup artistry. I have been in makeup for over 10 years now and have worked in retail cosmetics for a little over 5 years.

D: Where do you look to get your inspiration?

S: I am inspired by fine arts and period makeup. For example, I envision how I can incorporate the colors of a Paul Gauguin painting into a makeup application that is influenced by the Edwardian style of the 1800’s. So we are talking contrast; bold on pale skin. I also follow makeup artists in the field that I adore, which is editorial and high fashion. Those artists would be Pat McGrath, Paul Innis and Lottie to just name a few.

D: What do you love the most about makeup?

S: I love that it’s like painting! I love the ability to use makeup to enhance or completely change a person’s look; the ability to even alter a person into a character. I love that you can achieve looks in many different ways. And it’s makeup, so you can just remove it when you’re done!

D: What are some of your favorite makeup trends for the winter/spring 2015 bridal season? 

S: A clean and beautifully enhanced face is timeless. I love glowing skin. I’m excited that Marsala is the color of the season. I think this trend will help women become open to the reds, wines, and burgundies. I am still in love with Radiant Orchid and deep plums! These colors can always be adjusted to meet the taste of any bride.

D: What advice do you have for a bride who is looking for a makeup artist for her big day?  

S: I encourage all brides to make a budget for your makeup artist. The budget for a seasoned, trained artist begins at $150 and ranges. This rate is for the bride alone. Also, do not risk going to a makeup counter for your big day unless that makeup artist can take the day off and be there for your day. Continue to research your artist and book pre-wedding consultations. Although you will have to spend extra for the consultation, it will be worth it in the long run. It is good to see a makeup artist who has invested in themselves. Social media can be an amazing tool to use when searching for your MUA, but look for a website, reviews, and some professional work. This will give you an idea of what your lifelong wedding pictures will look like. Posting before and after images are good, but I strongly feel that when you find an artist who works with professional vendors, such as photographers, you can guarantee that they will go above and beyond to make you look timeless for your day.

D: How soon should they book your services?

S: Brides should begin seeking a makeup artist about 3-6 months in advance.

D: What about bridesmaids? What advice do you have for them?

S: I don’t recommend a consultation for bridesmaids. I just encourage them to remember that the wedding day is the bride’s day. Your makeup artist will most likely have a uniform look for you and it should be clean and soft, complementary to your skin tone. If you need adjustments done to your makeup on the day of, allow the makeup artist to finish with the other members of the party. After the makeup artist has finished with the other faces, they can come back to you to touch you up. This ensures that all of the bridesmaids makeup is done and they are ready to go when the bride is.

It is normal for the makeup artist to tell you the look that they have planned for the bridal party and to ask a few questions as far as individual makeup preferences. If your bridesmaids want to do their own makeup, or if they’re on a budget, it can be fun to set up a makeup party and have your bridesmaids practice the look for the day. They can also purchase products that they will need from the hostess of the party. These parties can be booked anywhere from a month before the wedding, up to the week before. They are fun and a great way to have fun with your girls!

D: Is there anything that a bride should consider when thinking about how to achieve the best face for pictures?  

S: SKINCARE, SKINCARE & SKINCARE! Take care of your skin. The more you do so, the better your makeup will appear and the less of it you’ll have to use. I do encourage brides that are considering facial treatments to start those 4-5 months before the big day. It allows enough time for the skin to purge impurities. Another tip I would love to share is for brides who do not wear makeup up at all. After your consultation, focus on a feature every other day or weekly to get comfortable with the idea of makeup. For example if you like that new plum lip color, start with a wash of color and build up to get comfortable with seeing yourself with a little makeup on. Next week add some mascara, and so on.

D: How can someone go about booking your services? 

S: Contacting me via email is the best way to inquire of my availability for your date. I will then send you rates and policies and we will set a time to talk and answer any questions that you may have for me. We can also correspond via email if that suits your schedule better. Next we’ll schedule a consultation. Once your consultation is complete, we book the date! There is a deposit required to save the date and brides have the option to do this before consultation.

What did I say? The girl is good! I hope that you found this interview to be informative. I know I did! For more information on Sharon S. Davis Makeup Artistry, feel free to head over to her site by clicking here. Till next time!

 

Digital Photography courtesy of | Lauren Jolly Photography